ARTHUR CLAUDE PARKER
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 3rd October 1889, Mistley, Essex.
Died: 28th February 1915; age 24; at Tenedos Island – on board Hospital Ship “Soudan,” as the result of extensive scalds received through the bursting of a boiler tube in “Vengeance.”
Arthur was injured on the 27th February 1915 by a boiler tube bursting in C.1. The Boiler caused severe scalds of face, mouth, neck, limbs and trunk. At the time of the accident, the ship was part of a squadron bombarding the Dardanelles Forts.
Stoker, K19889, Frederick Thomas Johnson, was also caught up in the bursting of the boiler tube and he too died from the same extensive scalds at Tenedos Island on board Hospital Ship “Soudan.” Frederick was born in Monkton, Kent, in December 1894, but had recorded on enrolment in 1913 that he was born in December 1892! Frederick was the son of Thomas Henry Johnson and Fanny Johnson (nee Hudson), of Acol, Birchington, Kent.
Residence: 13, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Employment: Trimmer at Sea.
Previous employment:
Viking – 3rd June 1914 – 30th June 1910
Viking – 1st July 1910 – 2nd September 1910
Employed in Furnace Room at Reavells Iron Works, Ipswich – 1st April 1911 – 1st April 1913
Whateley Hall – 13th May 1913 – 20th June 1913
Employed in the Boiler House at Ransomes, Simms & Jefferies, Ipswich 4th April 1914
Agatha – 9th May 1914.
Enrolment Location: Chatham; Date: 7th September 1909; residence: 45, Handford Road, Ipswich.Height: 5ft 6 1/2ins, fair complexion & grey eyes. Tattoos: Star on right forearm & Bird on left forearm.
Training: Chatham Depot
Bulwark – 15th January 1910 – 30th April 1910 – 3 months & 14 days.
Commonwealth – 31st January – 27th February 1912 – 28 days.
Vengeance – 26th November 1913 – 23rd December 1913 – 28 days.
Commencement of Service – Greenock Port, Scotland – 3rd August 1914 – destination Vengeance.
Victory – Stoker – 3rd September 1914
Vengeance – Stoker – 28th February 1915.
Rank: Stoker; Service Number: 1319.S.(Ch)
Regiment: Royal Naval Reserves, H.M.S. ‘Vengeance.’
Memorial Reference:
14.
Kent.
Relatives Notified & Address: Husband of Mrs. Daisy Lewery (formerly Parker), of 90A, Fore Street, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 2, Blyth Cottage, Mistley, Essex.
Arthur was 6 months old and living with his parents & siblings.
Stephen Parker, 27, a Stoker on a steamship, born Washbrook, Suffolk.
Annie Frances Parker (nee Brisley), 28, born Bermondsey, London.
Louis Stephen Parker, 3, born Mistley, Essex.
Lilian Annie Sophia Parker, 2, born Mistley.
1901 49, Handford Road, Ipswich.
Arthur was 10 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Stephen, 37, a Stoker on a steamship.
Annie, 38.
Louis, 13, an Errand Boy.
Lilian, 12.
Percy Maxmillian Parker, 3, born Mistley.
1911 13, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Arthur was 21 years old, a Stoker on a steamship. He was married and living with his in-laws.
James Higgins, 68, a Bricklayer’s Labourer – Brickmaking, born London.
Margaret Higgins, 68, born Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.
Frederick Joseph Higgins, 25, a Wooden Packing Case Maker – Reavell & Co., born Ipswich.
Daisy Parker, 22.
In 1911, in Ipswich, Arthur married Daisy Elizabeth Higgins, born 1889, born Ipswich – daughter of James Thomas Peter Higgins and Margaret Higgins (nee Gates (1st marriage Doe)), of 13, Kemball Street, Ipswich.
Daisy and Arthur had two sons:
Leonard Arthur Frederick Parker, born August 1911, Ipswich.
Reginald David James Parker, born October 1912, Ipswich.
After their father’s death, Leonard and Reginald were sent to the Greenwich Hospital School (Royal Hospital School) for the sons of poor seamen. When the boys turned 18, they enrolled in the Royal Navy.
Arthur is also remembered on the war memorial at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich.
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